Lower Ranch Hot Springs

Pershing County, Nevada · Near Lovelock
40.0350°N, 117.6040°W · 3,970 ft
104°F 44°F air · Good soaking weather 3,970 ft Short Walk

Lower Ranch Hot Springs in Pershing County, forty-seven miles from Lovelock, comes up at a soaking temperature, a touch above a hundred degrees. A USGS crew sampled it in 2009 and got mildly alkaline water with a moderate mineral load and some iron. Someone has photographed it; the image is on file. Land ownership is a blank, and so is access.

Location
60 miles from Battle Mountain, NV

The springs are a fifth of a mile on foot beyond a road the record does not identify. Elevation is under four thousand feet, low basin, snowfall of less than two feet and yearly precipitation around nine inches. No land unit is listed.

The coldest months are the ones recommended, which for a hundred-degree spring is the obvious call. The walk is short. Since ownership is blank, confirm you are allowed before getting in. Temperature is a survey figure and may differ on the day. Fee and campground are both unlisted.

Terrain

Aircraft with laser scanners measured this ground to within inches. The scan strips out trees and buildings, leaving the bare shape of the land around Lower Ranch Hot Springs.

Aerial view of the ground around Lower Ranch Hot Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Lower Ranch Hot Springs
Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag the handle to compare the two views. The orange dot marks the spring, in a frame about three quarters of a mile wide.

Setting
Hillside
The spring sits on a steep slope that climbs to the southeast.
Highest ground nearby
137 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the southeast
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from northwest to southeast, about 0.6 miles end to end.

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Heat Below
93 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 36% of the springs on this site.

Heat flow measures the warmth working its way up through the ground from deep inside the earth. Where it runs high, rain and snowmelt that seep down through cracks in the rock come back up hot.

Heat flow estimate: Stanford Thermal Earth Model (Aljubran & Horne, 2024), CC BY 4.0.

Monthly Climate
34°
Jan
38°
Feb
47°
Mar
55°
Apr
63°
May
75°
Jun
84°
Jul
82°
Aug
72°
Sep
57°
Oct
44°
Nov
33°
Dec
Annual Precip: 9.3 in Annual Snow: 21.4 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 33°F · Water 104°F · +71° contrast
January Air 34°F · Water 104°F · +70° contrast
February Air 38°F · Water 104°F · +66° contrast
December offers 51°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
44°F
ENE 14.4 mph 39% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 81° Low 52° Sunny
Spring is +23° warmer
Wednesday 81° Low 55° Sunny
Spring is +23° warmer
Thursday 77° Low 56° Sunny
Spring is +27° warmer
Friday 81° Low 53° Sunny
Spring is +23° warmer
Saturday 84° Low 54° Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +20° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 2009-10-24

The water at Lower Ranch Hot Springs is slightly alkaline (pH 8.1) with 563 mg/L total dissolved solids.

pH 8.1 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Calcium 32 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 13 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 143 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 67 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 28 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 9 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Where to Stay

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Temperature
104°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 104°F (40°C)
Avg Air Temp 57°F
Above Ambient +47°F
Good soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Short Walk
Distance to Road 0.2 mi

Hike 1 waterfall near Lower Ranch Hot Springs

Looking for more outdoor adventures? Explore waterfall hikes near Lower Ranch Hot Springs, Nevada.

Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Lower Ranch Hot Springs?
Lower Ranch Hot Springs has a water temperature of 104°F (40°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Lower Ranch Hot Springs located?
Lower Ranch Hot Springs is located in Pershing County, Nevada at 3,970 feet elevation, near Lovelock. Coordinates: 40.0350°N, 117.6040°W.
How do I get to Lower Ranch Hot Springs?
Lower Ranch Hot Springs has Short Walk road access (0.2 mi from the road).
What minerals are in the water at Lower Ranch Hot Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 8.1 (slightly alkaline). Total dissolved solids measure 563 mg/L.
Sources: USGS NWIS